Q:
My 17-month-old daughter only has her two bottom teeth. The upper incisor has attempted several times to come through but always goes back into the gum. Should I be overly concerned? Should I take my daughter to a pediatric dentist?
A:
Every child's teeth will erupt at different times. There are guidelines describing what age each tooth should emerge, but these are only averages. Other factors influence when teeth appear, including gender, maturity and genetics. In this case, your daughter's tooth eruption is delayed, so I would recommend you bring her to a pediatric dentist to rule out missing teeth, and to be sure that her jaw is developing appropriately.
Our parenting advice is given as suggestions only. We recommend you also consult your healthcare provider, and urge you to contact them immediately if your question is urgent or about a medical condition.
